2012 Breeders’ Cup Day Two / Free Saturday Picks / Free Selections

The Breeders’ Cup Day of Champions has finally arrived. There are many racing days that are geared for fans of all walks. The Breeders’ Cup is no exception, but this weekend is especially dedicated to the players. This is where the world gathers, and the best Thoroughbreds attempt to etch their name into the history books.

Race #4 – The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf – 1 mile on the turf – 2:50 p.m. ET

#5 – Fantastic Moon (12-1) = Very nice colt by Dalakhani, and trainer Jeremy Noseda is a fine horseman. Three races for this two-year-old, and has one clunker where he steadied badly in the Royal Lodge.

#8 – Balance the Books (8-1) = Chad Brown brings this baby to post, and he has a had a very good year. 2/2 in New York, and brings his “A” game to California.

#6 – Dundonnell (4-1) = Lightly raced, and trainer Roger Charlton has this two-year-old hitting on all cylinders. 4/4 ITM on the turf.

#10 – Joha (6-1) = His sire Johar is no stranger to the turf, and I am looking for an up close trip off of the poly tune-up.

#9 – Noble Tune (6-1) = Chad Brown has a colt that is two-for-two, and I don’t think we have seen his best to date.

Race #5 – The Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint – 7f – 3:35 p.m. ET

#9 – Groupie Doll (1-1) = Buff Bradley has a monster here. The way she fired off a win at Keeneland in the Thoroughbred Club America going 6f made me a believer. This is her third off a layoff, and that is a gambler’s note. Her last two works have been bullets, and I think she is fit and ready.

Use her with: #8 – Musical Romance who won this race last year at Churchill Downs, and #10 Switch who comes from the barn of John Sadler. Oh, and don’t leave out #6 – Turbulent Descent from the Pletcher barn. She was a beaten favorite last out, and is 4/6 at 7f with wins.

Race #6 – The Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile – 1 mile – 4:14 p.m. ET

#5 – Fed Biz (6-1) = Bob Baffert looks to bring this Giant’s Causeway colt to a 3/3  Santa Anita win clip. Cuts back from 1 1/16 to a two-turn mile, and there is plenty of speed. A stalking sort, and if Shackleford gets a little leg weary. It could be a big Baffert day!

#6 – Shackleford (2-1) = Dale Romans is an excellent conditioner, and this guy has speed to burn. Last year at Churchill, it was a one turn mile, and they closed down the lane. It is a short run into the first turn, and if he gets it all his way. This race is for place.

#7 – Emcee (5-2) = A colt by Unbridled Song who has sired three past B/C winners. His numbers are red-hot, and the only question will be going two turns against the speedy Shack.

#1 – Rail Trip (10-1) = Ron Ellis conditions this 7-yr-old gelding. 3/4 at Santa Anita, and is 1/1 going the distance. Cuts back from 1 1/8, and gets the golden rail trip.

Race #7 – The Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint – 6 1/2f on the turf – 4:57 p.m. ET

#10 – Corporate Jungle (6-1) = Chad Brown brings this Giant’s Causeway colt to post. Makes his second off a layoff, and the barn wins 28% on this move. He just worked a bullet at Belmont, and the cutback in distance will give him gas in the tank to be a late factor.

#13 – Unbridled’s Note (5-1) = My handicapping partner from the Winning Ponies radio show, Dangerous Dan Moore brought this guy to my attention. He really loved the way he scored at first turf asking in the Eddie D. Steve Asmussen may have a monster in the making, and Dangerous Dan only mentioned one runner he really liked for the day. Good enough for me…

#1 – California Flag (6-1) = Brian Koriner has a horse-for-the-course. He is 6/8 at Santa Anita on the turf, and draws the rail. Talamo was aboard in 2009 in this race with a win, and I am expecting some early foot that wants to go the distance.

#11 – Mizdirection (20-1) = Mike Pupe brings this filly against the boys, and she is 2/2 over the Santa Anita turf. Add in that she is 8/8 ITM on the green, and there may be an upset in the making. If she does score, there will surely be a monster payout.

Race #8 – The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile – 1 1/16 – 5:36 p.m. ET

#9 – Power Broker (5-2) = Bob Baffert is tough on his home-court, and this colt by Pulpit destroyed the field in the G-1 Front Runner Stakes.

#7 – Capo Bastone (15-1) = John Sadler brings this colt by Street Boss to post. He is as tough as a nickle steak, and has the abilty to fly from the clouds. If he benefits off his last, he will be tough at a price.

#4 – Shanghai Bobby (2-1) = This colt by Harlan’s Holiday has been the talk for the youngsters. 4/4 lifetime, and my only question will be if he can handle the other speed, and go two turns in this tough field.

#3 – He’s Had Enough (20-1) = Longshot here for the Doug O’Neill barn, and he had a BRUTAL trip last out at Keeneland.

Race #9 – The Breeders’ Cup Turf – 1 1/2 on the turf – 6:18 p.m. ET

#1 – Point of Entry (3-1) = Shug McGaughey has a monster here, and he is looking to make it 6-in-a-row. Usually the Europeans are the talk, but this year is a bit softer from across the pond. 4/4 going a 1 1/2, and Shug likes his chances.

Use with: #4 – Treasure Beach who won the Irish Derby, #3 – St. Nicholas Abbey who won last year, and #9 – Dullahan who could be sitting on a big race for the Dale Romans barn.

Race #10 – The Xpressbet Breeders’ Cup Sprint – 6f – 6:58 p.m. ET

This is by far one of the toughest races to handicap, but the nod goes to runners who are California based. They have won 5 of the last 6 runnings.

Box up: #2 – Jimmy Creed (6-1), #4 – Coil (5-1), #7 – The Lumber Guy (6-1), #8 – Capital Account (8-1), and #11 – Amazombie (4-1).

Race #11 – The Breeders’ Cup Mile – 1 mile on the turf – 7:40 p.m. ET

#6 – Excelebration (2-1) = Aidan O’Brien brings this turf monster to the states. If you look at all of his recent losses, you will see the name of the super-horse Frankel. Gets first lasix, and the Europeans have won 4 of the last 5  B/C Mile races at Santa Anita.

#2 – Wise Dan (9-5) = This guy has been on his “A”game for quite awhile for local trainer Charles Lopresti. You have to root for him, and his recent efforts have been sparkling.

Race #12 – The Breeders’ Cup Classic – 1 1/4 – 8:35 p.m. ET

#5 – Game On Dude (9-5) = Rider Mike Smith owns this race winning twice in the last three years, and was second and third in the other two runnings. Bob Baffert made a rider switch from Chantal Sutherland who is now retired from the saddle. There is not a bevy of speed that can comprimise his chances, and he is undefeated at Santa Anita.

Use him with: #4- Fort Larned (5-1), #8 – Nonios (20-1), #10 – Ron the Greek (6-1), and #12 – To Honor and Serve (8-1).

Best of luck with this great day of racing, and the E-Z Win Forms are now available. So, sit back, get comfy, and let the handicapping begin! Winning Ponies has always had this day on radar, and you will want to examine every tier level for that hidden gem of value.